The federal Liberals are heading into the next election with some members of the base feeling upset that the party hasn't recognized their efforts, while it has given special treatment to a few people with friends in the PMO, say Liberal insiders.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be leading his party into the October election to defend his party's four-year record before a volatile electorate. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The federal Liberals made history by leaping from third place to winning a majority in 2015, but the upcoming October election will have totally different dynamics than the last time, including a volatile electorate, new party leaders and positions, and a lack of enthusiasm amongst some key players in the Liberal Party base who feel they’re being taken for granted by the leadership, say Liberal insiders and a leading pollster.

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Abbas Rana is the assistant deputy editor of The Hill Times. He reports on the Parliamentary caucuses, nomination contests, political leadership campaigns, Elections Act laws, and the Senate. Abbas loves to chat with sources on-the-record or on not-for- attribution basis especially when they have verifiable story tips that could be followed as news stories. Brown envelopes are also always a lot of interest to him. Born and raised in Pakistan, Abbas speaks Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi. When not chasing politicians down on the Hill, he likes to watch cricket and movies. Follow - arana@hilltimes.com

Gerald Butts has removed himself from the daily political grind of strategizing how to keep the Liberals in power. But observers say it's unlikely he will be consigned to watch the campaign unfold from the sidelines.

SNC-Lavalin risks a takeover if it's convicted. But aside from likely outrage in Quebec, Ottawa can find other builders for its infrastructure plans if the company is banned from bidding on federal contracts, experts say

The Quebec company had extensive access to government ministers and top staffers, and was the only organization registered to lobby for allowing deferred prosecution agreements for white collar crimes.